3/21 Reds v Indians game thread & minor league notes

[medford]

Per Marcs blog:

SARASOTA -- Aaron Boone, Eduardo Perez and Danny Graves are on the Indians' travel roster for today's game. Boonie already has ducked his head into the building to say hi to the Stowe family. Not making the trip: Anthony Castrovince. But that's OK, he's a busy guy. We understand.

One item of interest from the back fields yesterday: Five Chattanooga pitchers combined to no-hit the Pirates' Altoona farm club in a 3-1 Lookouts victory. On the mound for Chattanooga were Eddy Valdez, Mike Nannini, Erik Lohse, Carlos Guevara and Abe Woody. Their combined line: 9 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K

Now, the starting lineups for Mike Vassallo's last day on the job:

Indians
Grady Sizemore CF
Ronnie Belliard 2B
Travis Hafner 1B
Victor Martinez C
Eduardo Perez RF
Todd Hollandsworth LF
Aaron Boone 3B
Ramon Vazquez SS
Cliff Lee P

Reds
Tony Womack 2B
Felipe Lopez SS
Ken Griffey Jr. CF
Adam Dunn LF
Edwin Encarnacion 3B
Scott Hatteberg 1B
Austin Kearns RF
Javier Valentin C
Brandon Claussen P

Nice work by the Lookout pitching staff

[Chip R]

Tony Womack leading off makes me want to cry. Except for Valentin and Claussen, I think this is our opening day lineup. Of course if Womack has a good series, maybe Dusty will want to trade for him. But I'm sure he'll have to pry him out of Narron's cold, dead hands. ;)

[flyer85]

Tony Womack leading off makes me want to cry.get used to it. That is the opening day lineup, minus Larue.

[RedsFan75]

OK, so the Lookouts No-Hit the Curve, but how did the Curve get a run?

9 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K

How many errors, 0 Hits and 0 ER... Interesting.

[flyer85]

OK, so the Lookouts No-Hit the Curve, but how did the Curve get a run?smallball

[lollipopcurve]

EdE 5th and Kearns 7th. Whoa.

[Dunner44]

I'm happy Kenny is hitting 3rd consistently now... he did a bang up job batting 3rd in the WBC.

[flyer85]

I'm happy Kenny is hitting 3rd consistently now... he did a bang up job batting 3rd in the WBC.it's the right spot for him in the Reds lineup. Now if they could get Womack out of the leadoff spot and into 8th if he has to play.

[Raisor]

Tony Womack leading off makes me want to cry.


I can feel a SERP mission being formed.

We need commandos and Jeff Gulluly.

[redsfan30]

Just chiming in on what others have said, but sub LaRue and Harang and that sure looks like what we'll see on the big board at Great American Ball Park at 2:10 thirteen days from now.

[RedsManRick]

Sans possibly the catcher spot, I think we're looking at our opening day lineup....

[Reds1]

Todays line up looks very close to what the opening day line up will be minus LaRue and Harang.

Reds
Tony Womack 2B
Felipe Lopez SS
Ken Griffey Jr. CF
Adam Dunn LF
Edwin Encarnacion 3B
Scott Hatteberg 1B
Austin Kearns RF
Javier Valentin C
Brandon Claussen P

[BRM]

get used to it. That is the opening day lineup, minus Larue.

That's just sickening...

[Red Leader]

Hey, guys...I think this will be the Opening Day lineup..minus LaRue and Harang, of course. :p:

[dougdirt]

So they are puting Abe Woody in Chattanooga? Seems a little rushed, considering he will be going from Billings to AA in 1 season without ever sniffing Dayton or Sarasota.

[flyer85]

So they are puting Abe Woody in Chattanooga? Seems a little rushed, considering he will be going from Billings to AA in 1 season without ever sniffing Dayton or Sarasota.seeing as he is a reliever(and a polsihed one at that) I can see it. After seeing him pitch for Baylor he has good command of his fastball/slider and how to use them. His potential for improvement is not great because his fastball is just average so they might as well move him up and see if he can get more accomplished hitters out.

I remember last year after the draft Red Leader made the prediction that Woody(a 30th round pick) would be the first from the class to make it to the majors.

[Red Leader]

I remember last year after the draft Red Leader made the prediction that Woody(a 30th round pick) would be the first from the class to make it to the majors.

Yep, Woody, a college pitcher, came to the organization with some polish and had command of his fastball / slider combo. Just throw on a couple coats of primer and he's ready for the show. If he succeeds at AA this year, I wouldn't be surprised to see him in September this year and up for good out of Spring Training next year.

But like flyer85 said, he's not going to be a dominant reliever because his fastball just doesn't have the zip it needs. Still, I think he'll be a useful player.

[dougdirt]

I can see your point Flyer, it just suprised me a lot. I had figured he would start in Sarasota with good performance would hit the fast track.

[cumberlandreds]

Marty is taking the day off. Steve and Joe are doing the game on radio today.

[Danny Serafini]

Game's just about to start. For those interested it's Steve and Joe in the booth today.

Edit: I type too slow!

[Coffeybro]

Graves to pitch today according to Joe. Should be interesting. Todd's at the park today. Since he only threw 4 pitchs to get through the inning yesterday, he will either pitch today or tomorrow.

[Danny Serafini]

Claussen gets Sizemore looking for the first out of the game.

[Danny Serafini]

Oops. Claussen hung a fastball and Ronnie Belliard put it out. 1-0 CLE

[cumberlandreds]

[QUOTE=Coffeybro]Graves to pitch today according to Joe. Should be interesting.

Stay within 10 runs and the Reds have a shot at a win today.:devil:

[Danny Serafini]

Hafner hit a high fly ball to right, Martinez strikes out. Mid 1st, CLE 1 CIN 0

[cumberlandreds]

2 K's for Claussen in the first. Except for the one hanger not a bad inning.

[Danny Serafini]

Womack lines out to right, Lopez grounds out to SS

[Danny Serafini]

Griffey singles to right, Dunn grounds out to 2B to end the inning. After 1 CLE 1 CIN 0

[Danny Serafini]

Perez flies out to right, Hollandsworth pops out to SS. Sounds like the wind is a little bit of a problem today. Steve and Joe are specualting Dave Ross was acquired solely to add depth, they think he'll start the year at Louisville. Boone chops one to Encarnacion. Tough play, his throw draws Hatteburg off the bag but it goes as a hit, not sure he could've got the runner with a good throw.

[flyer85]

Steve and Joe are specualting Dave Ross was acquired solely to add depth, they think he'll start the year at Louisville. Welcome to Wayne's World:p:

[Danny Serafini]

Vasquez pops to SS to end the inning. Mid 2nd CLE 1 CIN 0

[Danny Serafini]

Encarnacion leads off with a double to right center.

[Matt700wlw]

Encarnacion just won't cool down!

:thumbup:

[traderumor]

Oh, anonymous on Marc's blog will be so happy that EE did not yank it and sprayed an opposite field double.

[Danny Serafini]

Here's the rest of the inning: Hatteburg single to right, moves EE to third. Kearns 6-4-3 DP, scores EE. Valentin grounds out. After 2, CLE 1 CIN 1

[traderumor]

Reds tie it as Kearns grounds into ole 6-4-3

As an aside, it makes no sense to credit an RBI and not affect batting average by not counting the AB on a sac fly, or any other out for that matter, while not giving an RBI for a double play. He still knocked in the run by putting the ball in play. It's arbitary and capricious :p:

[dougdirt]

Traderumor, maybe he will be glad that it wasnt a straight pull shot and it was at least going to the right direction?

That guy cracks me up over there. Damn EE for getting those doubles....I want to see a single to the opposite field! HAHAHAHAHA.

[Danny Serafini]

Sadly Cliff Lee just blooped a single to right. Always feels bad when an AL pitcher gets a hit.

[BCubb2003]

Reds tie it as Kearns grounds into ole 6-4-3

As an aside, it makes no sense to credit an RBI and not affect batting average by not counting the AB, or any other out for that matter, while not giving an RBI for a double play. He still knocked in the run by putting the ball in play. It's arbitary and capricious :p:

Productive two outs...

[Danny Serafini]

Sizemore flew out to CF, Belliard strikes out.

[oneupper]

Reds tie it as Kearns grounds into ole 6-4-3

As an aside, it makes no sense to credit an RBI and not affect batting average by not counting the AB, or any other out for that matter, while not giving an RBI for a double play. He still knocked in the run by putting the ball in play. It's arbitary and capricious :p:

Yes, but that would put it on even keel with a Sac FLY!
And NOTHING should compare to a SAC FLY! :D

[acredsfan]

Steve and Joe are specualting Dave Ross was acquired solely to add depth, they think he'll start the year at Louisville.
Good idea, but I thought I read somewhere that he was out of options.:confused:

[Danny Serafini]

Hafner flies out to right on a 3-0 pitch. Mid 3rd, CLE 1 CIN 1. Claussen's line is 3 IP 3H 1R 0BB 3K

[Danny Serafini]

Good idea, but I thought I read somewhere that he was out of options.:confused:

I saw that too. Not sure what's happening there.

[traderumor]

Traderumor, maybe he will be glad that it wasnt a straight pull shot and it was at least going to the right direction?

That guy cracks me up over there. Damn EE for getting those doubles....I want to see a single to the opposite field! HAHAHAHAHA.Ah, didn't think that the extra base might be disappointing.

[toledodan]

I saw that too. Not sure what's happening there.


the way joe was talking he would be at louisville so i'm not sure whats going on.

[Doc. Scott]

Reds tie it as Kearns grounds into ole 6-4-3

As an aside, it makes no sense to credit an RBI and not affect batting average by not counting the AB on a sac fly, or any other out for that matter, while not giving an RBI for a double play. He still knocked in the run by putting the ball in play. It's arbitary and capricious :p:

Maybe that's how Sean Casey would have gotten to 85 RBIs last season.

[Doc. Scott]

And right as I make my little joke, Denorfia 4-6-3s it to end another Reds inning.

[Danny Serafini]

Missed most of that inning, just got back in time to hear Denorfia ground into a 6-4-3 DP to end the inning. Don't know who he's in for. After 3, CIN 1 CLE 1

[Chip R]

the way joe was talking he would be at louisville so i'm not sure whats going on.

Perhaps Joe is confused. He has been known to get confused from time to time the past several years.

[Danny Serafini]

Martinez flies out to the warning track in right, one away.

[Danny Serafini]

Perhaps Joe is confused. He has been known to get confused from time to time the past several years.

Steve was of the same opinion though. Maybe they just don't know his option status.

[Danny Serafini]

Perez draws the Indians first walk. Hollandsworth follows with a little popout to the foul side of 3B.

[Chip R]

Steve was of the same opinion though. Maybe they just don't know his option status.

It's understandable since they just got him a couple of hours ago. Heck, he may even have an option left.

[Danny Serafini]

Boone grounds out to 2B to end the inning. Mid 4th, CIN 1 CLE 1. Claussen seems to be more efficient with his pitches, at least today. It's not the constant run of 3-2 counts like last year.

[oneupper]

Missed most of that inning, just got back in time to hear Denorfia ground into a 6-4-3 DP to end the inning. Don't know who he's in for. After 3, CIN 1 CLE 1

Apparently Casey. :)

[Danny Serafini]

Griffey looked at strike 3 to start the 4th. Dunn doubles over the head of the CF.

[Danny Serafini]

Encarnacion and Hatteburg both ground out to end the inning. After 4, CIN 1 CLE 1

[Danny Serafini]

Back to back Ks for Claussen as Vasquez and Lee take a seat. Joe's left the booth for the day, he's driving north to watch his son be inducted into the Fairfax High School Hall of Fame. And as I type that Sizemore triples.

[Danny Serafini]

Belliard walked on 5 pitches, but Hafner then grounded out to 2nd to end the threat. Mid 5th, CIN 1 CLE 1

[cumberlandreds]

Stewart thought that would be the last inning for Claussen. If that was it was a good outing. Seemed to get ahead of most hitters and not falling behind a lot like he usually does.

[Danny Serafini]

Back to back fluky hits to start the 5th. Kearns got an infield single, Valentin then hits 2B with a ball. Claussen puts down a perfect bunt, everyone's safe and the bases are loaded for Womack with no outs.

[Danny Serafini]

Claussen is now out, Wise in to PR.

[Danny Serafini]

Womack flies out to LF, but not deep enough.

[M2]

Womack flies out to LF, but not deep enough.

That's not scrappy.

[Danny Serafini]

Lopez hits a foul pop out to right. Here's the dreaded situational hitting. Narron has to be grinding his teeth right now.

[flyer85]

Womack flies out to LF, but not deep enough.he must have hit it on the screws.

[Heath]

That's Narron's fault.

Ryan Freel would have had a productive at-bat.

But, hey, switching to the NL is only going to help Woe-mack, right?

:bang:

[Danny Serafini]

Griffey works the count full, but flies out to LF. Bases loaded with no outs, no runs scored. After 5, CIN 1 CLE 1. Claussen's final line: 5IP 4H 1R 2BB 5K

[NC Reds]

Womack flies out to LF, but not deep enough.


I imagine this will not be the first time someone types that statement this year. :thumbdown

[traderumor]

That's not scrappy.I think it is significant that crappy is a part of that word, with respect to baseball players with that attribute

[Doc. Scott]

Claussen's bunt was a popup that just happened to fall. It wasn't exactly textbook.

[traderumor]

Claussen had a good outing.

[BRM]

he must have hit it on the screws.

:laugh:

[traderumor]

Claussen's bunt was a popup that just happened to fall. It wasn't exactly textbook.
Great bat control. And that is scrappy.

[Danny Serafini]

Jake Robbins is now in, looking to extend the scoreless streak.

[Doc. Scott]

Jake Robbins is now in, looking to extend the scoreless streak.

Nope. Leadoff bomb for Victor Martinez. 2-1 Indians.

[Danny Serafini]

So much for that, Martinez takes him deep to LF. CLE 2 CIN 1.

[Gainesville Red]

Jake Robbins is now in, looking to extend the scoreless streak.

D'OH!

[traderumor]

Jake Robbins is now in, looking to extend the scoreless streak.you jinxed him.

[Danny Serafini]

I'm such a jerk! Sorry Jake.

[Danny Serafini]

Perez got a hit, though I missed what. Wise stayed in the game at CF, Griffey's done for the day.

[Danny Serafini]

Hollansworth grounds into an FC, Perez out at second but couldn't turn the DP.

[Falls City Beer]

Come on, does anyone really think Jake the Snake Robbins had a chance?

[Danny Serafini]

Boone doubles down the left field line, scoring Hollansworth. CLE 3 CIN 1

[flyer85]

Come on, does anyone really think Jake the Snake Robbins had a chance?In a world that includes Womack and Hatteberg as starters, anything is possible.

[Danny Serafini]

Someone just grounded out and moved the runner to 3rd, 2 outs.

[Danny Serafini]

Jason DuBois hitting, he draws a walk.

[Danny Serafini]

Sizemore gets his second triple of the day, driving in 2 more. Ugly inning for Robbins. CLE 5 CIN 1.

[Doc. Scott]

Two-run triple for Grady Sizemore. 5-1 CLE.

[Danny Serafini]

Jake Robbins has gone for the cycle, giving up a single, double, triple and homer this inning. Congrats!

[Danny Serafini]

Somebody named Jose Flores took a called strike 3 to end the inning. Mid 6th, CLE 5 CIN 1

[Danny Serafini]

Fernando Cabrera in to pitch for CLE. Indians are empting the bench behind him. Ben Broussard is making an appearance. Andy Marte also among those checking in.

[LincolnparkRed]

Time for the reds to rally back on graves, he is supposed to pitch today right??

[Danny Serafini]

Dunn draws a leadoff walk. Denorfia on to PR, although I swear he PH earlier in the game.

[Doc. Scott]

Denorfia swipes second.

[Danny Serafini]

Encarnacion flies out. Denorfia does his job as a runner, stealing second. He's 3-3 this spring at steals.

[M2]

So basically Jake Robbins is no Ricardo Jordan.

[Doc. Scott]

Kearns hammers an RBI double off the right-field fence. MANLY. 5-2 Cleveland.

Matt Kata to pinch-run.

[Danny Serafini]

Hatteburg Ks, but Kearns doubles off the wall in right to bring in Denorfia. CLE 5, CIN 2

[Doc. Scott]

Comebacker retires Valentin. To the seventh, 5-2 Indians.

[traderumor]

http://www.mainstreet-usa.net/images/tonycurrent.jpg

Jake needs to see this Robbins after that outing

[Danny Serafini]

Valentin's out, though I missed how. After 6, CLE 5 CIN 2

[Sea Ray]

Time for the reds to rally back on graves, he is supposed to pitch today right??

Anyone know how Danny Graves is faring this Spring? What do the Indians have planned for him? Will he even make the team?

[BRM]

Hatteburg Ks, but Kearns doubles off the wall in right to bring in Denorfia. CLE 5, CIN 2

Since when do scrappy vets K with RISP?

[Danny Serafini]

Chris Hammond in to pitch. Here's who's in the field:

Deorfia LF
Wise CF
Buchanon RF
Menechino 3B
Holbert SS
Womack 2B
Cruz 1B
Sardinha C

[Doc. Scott]

Now THERE'S your Opening Day lineup.

[Danny Serafini]

We can only hope!

[Doc. Scott]

With the array of All-Stars behind him in the field, Hammond cruises through the inning. 5-2 CLE after 6.5.

[Danny Serafini]

Hammond works a quick inning, K, K, popout to 1B. Mid 7th, CLE 5 CIN 2

[BRM]

Now THERE'S your Opening Day lineup.

For the Bats.

[Doc. Scott]

DANNY GRAVES IN! DANNY GRAVES IN!

Boos echo through Ed Smith Stadium.

[Doc. Scott]

For the Bats.

Then we need to stick Encarnacion in and move Menechino to 2B.

[Chip R]

Anyone know how Danny Graves is faring this Spring? What do the Indians have planned for him? Will he even make the team?

I heard he has done OK and might make the team.

[jhiller21]

Danny has a quick 1-2-3. Boo!

[Danny Serafini]

Graves came in at 1-1 3.12

[NC Reds]

Graves versus mostly a AAA lineup. He may as well get used to that now. :p:

[Doc. Scott]

Graves, feeling a little taller today, blitzes through the '06 Bats with ease.

5-2 CLE after 7.

[Danny Serafini]

Rick White now in to pitch.

[Danny Serafini]

White gets Marte to fly out to right. The emptying of the bench is complete, as Kata comes in to play 2B and remove the last starter.

[Danny Serafini]

White gets a groundout to 2B, then gives up an infield single to SS and another single to left.

[Danny Serafini]

Strikeout to end the inning. Don't know if Sardinha dropped it or if it was a pitch in the dirt, but he had to tag the batter.

[Danny Serafini]

Steve Karsay in to pitch the 8th. Buchanon doubles to left center leading off.

[lollipopcurve]

B. Brian Buchanan is manhandling the competition all spring long.

[Heath]

http://www.mainstreet-usa.net/images/tonycurrent.jpg

Jake needs to see this Robbins after that outing

Yea, but he just pitched like this Robbins - like his eyelids were jammed or something.

http://www.sportshollywood.com/images/minors/robbins1.jpg

[Danny Serafini]

Holbert? Ks. Sardinha reaches on an error by the SS.

[Danny Serafini]

That was backwards, Holbert is on

[Danny Serafini]

Now Sardinha Ks. Don't know who it was earlier. Unfortunately I'm having to actually do some work right now while I'm listening.

[Doc. Scott]

Sardinha K's looking. Which is understandable.

(Pitch) "Nope. Can't hit that."

(Pitch) "Can't hit that either."

(Pitch, umpire rings him up) "Hmm, this is hard."

[Doc. Scott]

Long fly to right by Kata, but it's caught and the Reds leave two more on base.

5-2, to the ninth.

[Doc. Scott]

Kent Mercker, along with Dave Thomas a scion of Dublin, Ohio, in to pitch the ninth.

[Doc. Scott]

Raisor's man-crush rung up on strikes by the old-timer.

[Doc. Scott]

Young catcher Garko singles to center. Old utilityman Eduardo Perez up.

[KronoRed]

Sardinha K's looking. Which is understandable.

(Pitch) "Nope. Can't hit that."

(Pitch) "Can't hit that either."

(Pitch, umpire rings him up) "Hmm, this is hard."
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[Danny Serafini]

Andy Abad grounds out to start the bottom of the 9th.

[Danny Serafini]

Wise flies out, Menechino the last hope.

[Danny Serafini]

Bouncer to short ends it. Final score CLE 5 CIN 2

[traderumor]

Sardinha K's looking. Which is understandable.

(Pitch) "Nope. Can't hit that."

(Pitch) "Can't hit that either."

(Pitch, umpire rings him up) "Hmm, this is hard."Yes, but he showed plate discipline by laying off the pitches he could do nothing with. If only they didn't call those dang things strikes.

[Sea Ray]

Graves came in at 1-1 3.12

As I recall he had a stellar Spring last year. What did he give up, like one run?

[flyer85]

Young catcher Garko singles to center. Old utilityman Eduardo Perez up.Garko likely to end up at 1B for the Injuns this year. he would look good in a Reds uniform.